I have always disliked buses. Hated even. In Christchurch, when I lived there, and was unemployed, I’d walk for hours rather than take the bus. And then I got a car, and drove. Because I hate the bus. And the people on it. Because if there is a crazy person on a bus, they will sit next to me.
Poneke has been writing some great things on the buses, and on petrol prices. Thank goodness he’s back.
But since I moved to the loveliness that is Hataitai (although goodness I miss the city) I take the bus to work. I could walk, but that would require me being much more active, awake, and willing to walk any distance than I have any interest in being in the morning.
And I must admit, the bus is growing on me. First of all, there’s the petrol price/carbon emissions holier-than-thou feeling I get when riding the bus (though I suppose that would be increased if I walked). This new liking of the bus started when, on my first trip from home, as we all crowded down the bus to let more people on, the very chirpy bus driver yelled “you’re the best, Hataitai”. Which made me feel all warm and fuzzy. I have yet to encounter a psycho, or a grumpy bus driver, although I suppose that will happen.
So far, the worst thing that has happened was when a school kid asked me if I’d like to sit down. Rather than applaud his manners, all I could do was shake my head, smile, and mutter under my breath ‘I’m not that old, you little shit’.
And the people. Yay for the other people. This morning, on my 20 minute bus ride, there was a very cute child, a girl who had quite clearly not been home from the night before, and a woman wearing a very conservative suit, with what looked like bedazzled sneakers. There was also a fashionista with great boots, but sunglasses that looked ridiculous on her. A man who talked loudly on his cellphone, all about a person in his office who is having an affair (what? I like gossip, even if it is about people I don’t know). If you like to watch people (and I do) the bus is great.
Sure, it can be late, and annoying when the trolley buses break down, and the seats can be uncomfortable, and there are still crazy people. But where one is late, on my route there’s always another one in about 5 minutes, and hey, at least it’s entertaining.
3 responses so far ↓
Amy // May 21, 2008 at 9:31 am |
I’m one of the crazies on the bus. I’m always running late for work so i’ve taken to applying make-up on the bus. I get out my foundation brush, concealer brush, liquid eye-liner, the works! and as the bus bops up and down i’ll be sticking my eye with mascara. Some may have noticed me sporting my new ‘bus look’ (think Heath Ledger as The Joker)
meganwegan // May 21, 2008 at 11:42 pm |
Ah, but you are so impossibly pretty, Amy, all the people on the bus are probably just gazing at you dreamily, not noticing the odd behaviour.
And i think putting liquid eye-liner on on the bus might be the bravest thing I’ve ever heard. I don’t even do it in my bathroom, and I have a pretty steady hand!
SteveW ithers // May 23, 2008 at 9:59 am |
I like buses. What I don’t like is people who stink. Smell bad. Smoked the whole pack, wiped the ashes on their clothes…..then sat behind or in front or – God forbid – next to me on the same seat. Gag. Gross.